Before you stop reading…

I'm not saying don't be kind.

Kindness is essential.

But kindness without clear boundaries can leave a horse feeling unsure.

Horses understand consistency.

They understand clarity.

They understand what happens every single time.

When boundaries are unclear, some horses become anxious.

Some become pushy.

Some simply take over the space that's available.

That doesn't make them bad horses.

It makes them horses trying to understand the rules.

The goal isn't to become tougher.

It's to become clearer.

Be assertive with a smile on your face and love in your heart.

That has become one of the greatest lessons horses have ever taught me.

What do you find hardest…

Being clear, or worrying you'll upset your horse?